KATE LANDRY HAS A PLAN by Rebekah Millet, Reviewed by Rebecca Maney

REBECCA'S REVIEW:
"How many times had I stared at that plan, framed and hanging on the wall in my office?"

Kate Landry has a plan . . . boy, does she ever! and . . . (it doesn't involve pooping parrots, awkward voicemails, conniving ex-fiances, "precious" little puppies, or a handsome librarian teen-turned-man with the most (adorable,memorable,fantastic) seventh grade kiss . . . nope, none of those things.) The question is, what does it involve? And at what cost?

Kate Landry is by any and all means a success story. She owns and operates a beautiful cafe, Beignets & Books, in downtown New Orleans, while raising her teen niece Hayley since the age of two. A recent renovation of the cafe's adjoining courtyard has created outdoor venue space and the next item on her "plan" involves opening a second location (sometime in the next few years) . . . but what if some-time has the potential to becomes now-time?

Everything shifts on a seismic scale one ordinary afternoon. Kate heads to the local library to pick up Haley and comes face to face with someone who is definitely not on her plan. Micah Guidry. (pineapple Life Savers!) As you might imagine (knowing Kate), everything begins to turn captivating or complicated . . . depending on your your vantage point.

"Old people flirting is gross." (according to Hayley, the teen-ager! . . . what does she know? . . . what DOES she know!)

As entertaining as any on-screen romantic comedy, these characters also embody tender touch points that influence a variety of actions and reactions . . . laugh-one-minute, cry-the-next, as you turn the pages of this deeply endearing take-a-chance story. A fabulous sophomore novel by a very talented up and coming writer!

SEE WINNIE'S REVIEW

BackCover Blurb:
I turned to him, and he winked at me. Winked! We needed clear lines in place between us. We would not be flirty friends. We'd be friends, period. The sooner I made that distinction, the better.

Forty-year-old Kate Landry's carefully planned life has become as messy as the powdered sugar on her famous beignets. Juggling the responsibilities of running her café, raising her teenage niece, and the emotional baggage from her breakup, Kate finds her world once again turned upside down when her first-ever crush, Micah Guidry, returns to town as the hunky local librarian.

As Kate struggles to implement her plans to expand her café amid the New Orleans Mardi Gras madness and the meddling of her conniving ex-fiancé, Micah becomes the unwitting hero of her misadventures, stirring up feelings she thought she'd long buried. How can falling in love in the Big Easy be this hard?

Bethany House, March, 2025

Available in digital ebook, paperback, library binding, and audiobook:

BUY KATE LANDRY HAS A PLAN at Amazon, Christianbook .com, or Baker Book House

 

 

AMBUSH by Colleen Coble, Sanctuary Series #1, Reviewed by Rebecca Maney

A Sanctuary Novel (#1)

REBECCA'S REVIEW:
"Time to face Blake Lawson, the man who had destroyed her life."

Or had he? Coming back to Nova Cambridge, Alabama was going to be . . . (wonderful, terrible, exciting, depressing) Paradise Alden wasn't completely sure, especially when her new job as the veterinarian for a local wildlife refuge would bring her face to face with the one person from her past who had hurt her the most. Paradise had definitely not returned to her home town for a romantic revival, she simply wanted closure surrounding the murder of her parents.

Instead . . . on the very day she arrived on The Sanctuary property . . . . it was clear that Blake and his family were being set up for failure; a murder, break-ins, arson, important security measures compromised. Who . . . and why . . . was someone trying to ruin the refuge's reputation in the court of public opinion. How much interference could they withstand, and why did it seem like Paradise and Blake made such great partners?

Creative energy ignites this story into a trip to the wildlife refuge itself; sights, sounds, and smells all combine to make this novel an immersive reading experience that seems difficult to believe is only imaginary. In the end, while some questions eventually find their answers, a few don't, which means . . . stay tuned for more! (and more . . . is exactly what describes Blake and Paradise as well!!!) 

*I purchased a copy and was under no obligation to provide a positive review.

SEE PAULA'S REVIEW

 

BackCover Blurb:
Paradise Alden's childhood in Nova Cambridge, Alabama, was idyllic until the night her parents were murdered. Since then, life has left her scarred. The abuse she suffered in the foster care system, her first love's betrayal, and the jaguar attack that nearly destroyed her career have led to an unshakable distrust--in men, in God, and maybe in even in herself.

After fifteen years, returning to her hometown is a last resort to finding her life again. She's hoping the wildlife refuge where she's accepted a veterinarian job will be the perfect place to heal from her recent traumas and unlock her memories about the night her parents died. But the day she arrives at The Sanctuary, a body is discovered on the grounds. And soon, a series of deadly events threatens not only her future, but the man who, despite all odds, still makes her pulse stutter. Arson, a shooting, a break-in, and multiple instances of animals being freed from their enclosures all point back to him, but Paradise knows Blake Lawson isn't responsible. Not the man who has been helping his mother manage The Sanctuary these past six months and care for his stepbrothers in the wake of their father's death . . . even if his betrayal years ago cost her everything.

Someone dangerous is lurking beneath the town's moss-draped trees, and Paradise refuses to let another murderer disappear into the shadows.

 

Thomas Nelson Publishing, March, 2025

Available in digital ebook, paperback, and audiobook:

Buy AMBUSH at Amazon, Christianbook .com, or Baker Book House

 

 

 

DREAMWALKER by Carrie Cotten, Reviewed by Kim

A Christian Suspense Novel:

A Gripping Supernatural Christian Fiction 1

 

KIM'S REVIEW:
Dreamwalker is my first Carrie Cotten book, but it won’t be my last! I really enjoyed this story. It gripped me from the beginning and when I wasn’t reading, I was thinking about it. That is always a good sign!

Dreamwalker is fast paced, action packed, and intense! The plot is so unique! I loved how the faith thread was sprinkled throughout, showing us mercy and grace, and what true sacrifice is. It was interesting to learn about Andy and her unique ability, but her kind heart is what drew me to her. I really liked Will. He is such a steady, kind, supportive character. I would have loved a few chapters from his point of view. I love how this story ends and sets us up for book 2, Dark of Night.

I’m so impressed with this debut story and I can’t wait to read more of Carrie Cotten’s books! 4.5 stars!
*I purchased this book. All opinions are my own.

 

BackCover Blurb:
Even among special agents, Andromeda Stone is special. Her unique ability to walk in the dreams of others has placed her in the services of a secret government research and defense facility known only as The Agency. 

She always assumed it was because of her gift that she felt out of place, even among her family; but as she faces an entirely new, and dangerous, mission; perhaps it's something deeper that sets her apart.

 

May 2020

Available in digital ebook, paperback, hardcover, and audiobook:

Buy DREAMWALKER at Amazon

 

 

NORTHARGYLE ABBIE by Janelle Leonard, Reviewed by Paula Shreckhise #NewRelease

ROYALLY AUSTEN SERIES #1 

PAULA'S REVIEW:
Such a delightful book. It had the best quirky heroine, Abbie, and a very swoony hero prince, Colter. Abbie is the daughter of a pastor and has five brothers who are very accomplished. She is trying to establish herself as a researcher in a museum. Her grandmother has fostered a love of history and discovery in her. 

Gran has left her a cottage in Australia. She embarks on a book tour to Australia with her Aunt Vi, an author who has used Abbie as a character in one of her series.

I love her quirky, close family. They are so well written. Abbie writes silly placards in her head for any occasion and plays the storytelling “what if game” at the drop of a hat. This book brought with it a ton of smiles and a few heartfelt tears.
Both main characters were strong Christians and it was nice to see how their different personalities showed their faith to others.

This was a cute, entertaining, substantive book. Kudos to Ms. Leonard for an exceptional debut.

*A complimentary copy of this book was provided by WhiteCrown, a division of WhiteFire Publishing. I was not required to post a favorable review. All opinions are mine alone.*Beyond 5 stars and a solid faith thread 

BackCover Blurb:
When Abigail Morgan, a naive pastor’s daughter with an overactive imagination, inherits a cottage in Australia, she never imagines the story it will unlock. Armed with a museum studies degree and a penchant for daydreams, Abigail heads to Hyacinth Cottage to unravel the truth of her grandmother’s past—an unknown world of adventure, deception, and love.

While sifting through letters, photographs, and hidden relics, Abigail meets Colter Wellesley, a charming local who helps her navigate the labyrinth of clues with a blend of wit and charm she struggles to resist. But Colter comes with secrets of his own. As their investigation and romance deepen, Abigail wonders if Colter is more tangled up in her grandmother’s mystery—and that of the princess who vanished more than sixty years ago—than she ever imagined.

In this modern reimagining of Jane Austen’s Northanger Abbey, the line between imagination and reality blurs, and every clue discovered could be the key to unlocking a royal legacy.

WhiteCrown Publishing, March, 2025

Available in digital ebook and paperback

Buy NORTHARGYLE ABBIE at Amazon